CHICAGO (June 2010)—Chicago Gateway Green announces its Fifth Annual Texas Hold ‘Em “Gaming for Green” charity tournament beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 5 at Galleria Marchetti (825 W. Erie St., Chicago). Texas Hold ‘Em players will buy-in with a $150 donation (or $125 before July 31) which earns them $5,000 in chips and the chance to win the grand prize of $5,000 toward a buy-in into the World Series of Poker Circuit Event at the Horseshoe Casino, located just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago.  All players are also eligible for a variety of prizes for each of the games.  All proceeds from the evening benefit Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the greening and beautification of Chicago.

In addition to Texas Hold ‘Em, a variety of other gaming and entertainment options have been added to this year’s event including roulette, craps and black jack.  For those not trying their luck at the poker tables, spectator admission is $40.  Guests will have a chance to win great prizes while playing the casino games and so to ‘get in the game,’ and take a chance for a great cause. The admission fees also include a lavish appetizer buffet as well as an open bar with soft drinks, beer, wine and premium spirits.

An outdoor patio lounge invites guests to take a break from the game and enjoy the lush Marchetti garden setting and other amenities including a premium cigar bar by General Cigar, a martini bar and live music throughout the evening.

 “We draw poker players from all over the state and across the country to play in this exciting tournament,” says Claire Woolley, recently-named executive director of Chicago Gateway Green. “It’s for a terrific cause and we’re fortunate to have Horseshoe Casino continue their generous support of Chicago Gateway Green for this event.”

In 2009, more than 150 players participated to help raise more than $35,000 for Chicago Gateway Green to continue its mission of the greening and beautification of Chicago’s expressways, gateways and neighborhoods.

This year’s event promises Chicago-area celebrity participation including ESPN Radio’s John Jurkovic and Carmen DeFalco as emcees and celebrity players.  Other media personalities participating this year include Ginger Zee and Natalie Martinez of NBC 5, and D.C. Crenshaw, food critic and host of Game Time Dine.

“We are very happy to be working with Horseshoe Casino on this charity tournament again this year, and hope to raise even more money for a wonderful cause that improves the quality of life in Chicago,” says Ron Slucker, event producer and IMPACT365 Founder, a Chicago-based event activation agency committed to creating a high energy, social environment where active business professionals can interact and share experiences with other successful, like-minded individuals.

Chicago Gateway Green is happy to have a number of charitable donors and partners for this year’s event including Horseshoe Casino, Michelob Ultra, Maker’s Mark, PAMA Liqueur and General Cigar Company, Inc.

About Horseshoe Casino

The all new $500 million Horseshoe Casino, a Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. property, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago is the premier entertainment and gaming destination in Chicagoland.  Where legendary gaming lives on, Horseshoe boasts more than 350,000 square feet with over 3,000 slot machines, over 100 table games, the largest poker room in the Midwest, and more. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is proud to offer the ultimate concert and entertainment destination. In conjunction with AEG Live and created by the award-winning designers of Sceno Plus, The Venue offers a premier experience in a flexible space that can hold up to 3,300 guests. Dining elegance is not overlooked and guests can choose from a variety of dining options including; Jack Binion's Steak House which overlooks Lake Michigan and recent winner of the 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, around-the-globe variety at the Village Square Buffet, a taste of Chicago at Benny's Pub and Eatery, and scrumptious fare at J.B.s Gourmet Deli. For more information, please visit: www.chicagohorseshoe.com.

Must be 21. Know when to stop before you start.® Gambling problem? Call 1.800.9.WITH.IT.  ©2010 Harrah's License Company, LLC.

About Chicago Gateway Green

Dedicated to greening and beautifying the region’s expressways, gateways and communities, Chicago Gateway Green was founded in 1986 to benefit the environment and improve the quality of life for millions of Chicagoland residents and visitors.

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Chicago Gateway Green impacts the community with three key programs: Expressway Partnership, transforming city roadways into landscaped parkways; the International Sculpture Program, beautifying gateways through the installation of public, international art on expressways; and the Tree Partnership, a large-scale tree planting initiative that transforms unused land into green spaces. For more information, visit www.gatewaygreen.org.